The speaker opens with a vulnerable, honest reflection on a period of silence in his ministry, driven by personal and societal struggles related to immigration. Overwhelmed by financial strain, bureaucratic hurdles, and harmful societal attitudes, he experienced a loss of confidence and spiritual fire. He shares how fear and discouragement led to withdrawal, despite being a Christian and a preacher. He acknowledges that his silence was not laziness but a season of deep personal and spiritual processing. His wife’s steadfast faith and encouragement have been crucial in supporting him. Drawing on Ephesians 6, he emphasizes the need for inner strength and the armor of God to face both external and internal battles. He calls for prayer—especially for courage, faith, and a return to meaningful ministry. He encourages listeners to take time to reflect on Scripture, step away from constant noise, and trust in God’s presence. Ultimately, he prays for peace, endurance, and growing love for the gospel in both himself and others, reminding everyone that the journey with Jesus is shared and sustained through prayer, faith, and mutual support.
Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in, and thanks for giving me a little space in your day.
Whether you've been following Journey with Jesus for a while, or you're brand new and landed because
of a card or a conversation we've had, I'm just really glad you're listening. I want to talk from
the heart today, and this conversation has been a long time coming. I'm not coming to you as
somebody who's got everything together. I'm coming as someone who needs encouragement just as much
as he tries to give it. My silence over these past few months wasn't random, it wasn't laziness,
and it certainly wasn't a lack of interest. It was a season I had to walk through, and speaking
honestly, I'm still walking through. There has been a quiet voice sitting in the back of my mind
for a long time, a voice telling me to stay quiet, to shrink, to remember my place. Maybe you know
what that feels like, the little whisper that tries to convince you to keep your head down.
I fought that voice for months. And for anyone who subscribed that's new and expected something
polished or uplifting, I need to be honest. Today's message is a little raw, almost journal-like,
but it is real. And sometimes real is what God uses to wake us up or pull us closer together.
So here's the truth. I'm a Christian, I'm a husband, I'm a preacher, and I am an immigrant.
Those aren't titles for me, they're lived experience.
They have shaped why I have been quiet for a while. My wife and I have been dealing with
the heavy weight of the American immigration system, the financial strain, the paperwork
that never seems to end, the lost times that we can never regain, the disappointment,
and yes, the discouragement. If you've ever walked this road, you know what it feels like.
Your whole life is tied to a process you cannot control. We've spent money we didn't always have
and waited in ways we never imagined.
And that kind of pressure wears on you. I know there are people listening who don't need an
explanation about the immigration conversations happening in this country. You hear it every day.
But what I will share with you is how it affected my heart. I watched my circle get smaller.
I watched my confidence fade. I watched my fire from ministry dim. I sat in rooms with people
who openly disliked immigrants and spoke about us in ways that did not sound Christ-like at all.
That left scars.
Not long ago, a preacher friend of mine asked me if I still wanted to preach, if I still wanted to
minister. My answer surprised him, and honestly, it surprised me. I told him I wasn't sure.
Saying that out aloud made me feel smaller than I actually had already started to feel.
And well, fear does that. Paul once reminded Timothy that God didn't give us a spirit of fear,
but of power and love and a sound mind. I have had to hold on to that verse like a
lightning bolt. And I've had to hold on to that verse like a lightning bolt.
In all of this, my wife has been the steady voice I needed. Her prayers grew louder. Her
encouragement grew bolder. She has walked with me through battles she didn't create and carried
burdens she didn't ask for. Yet she keeps showing up with grace and strength. God truly knows how
to give good gifts. Proverbs 31 speaks of a virtuous woman, and I see that every day.
A few days ago, I sat in front of my computer with my Bible open,
into Ephesians 6. I stared at the page until something finally said,
just start typing. Not with a plan or with a script, just with honesty. Paul's words about
the armor of God hit differently when fear is close. They hit differently when silence feels
safer than speaking. They hit differently when the battle isn't only outside but on the inside
of your own heart. So I'm here today to ask for something I don't always ask for. Pray for me as
I pray for you. Pray for my courage to return. Pray that my love for the gospel grows stronger.
Pray that my voice doesn't stay quiet when it needs to speak. Before I end this brief conversation,
let me leave you with encouragement. Take some time this week and sit with Ephesians 6,
specifically verses 10 through 23. Let every phrase breathe, and while you do that, step back from the constant noise.
Turn off the news for a bit. Take a break from social media. Now, I'm not calling you to have
ignorance or to not be informed. It's just a reminder that we're not meant to carry everything
we see online. God holds the world, so we don't have to. As this new year unfolds, may God strengthen
your heart. The armor He gives us is not just for protection, it's for endurance as well. The battles
you face are not battles you fight alone. The same spirit who carried Paul through chains as he wrote
those words carries us today. I pray this year brings courage where you need it and peace where
you've been down, where you've been worn down. I pray your faith deepens and your love grows
steadily. I pray the gospel shines through your life in small, quiet ways that glorify Christ. And I pray
that it does the same for me as well. Thank you. Thank you for spending this time. Thank you for
listening. Thank you for the grace that you showed me during my silence and for every prayer spoken
when you didn't see me online. Thank you for all the hellos that you've given me recently and for
the hugs that I've been able to find embracing when I've seen some of you in person. May the
peace of God guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. And may you stand firm,
covered in truth, in righteousness, and in readiness. I love you all. And I hope to
continue talking to you as we continue on this journey with Jesus. So pray for me as I pray for
you.
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
The speaker shares a personal and raw account of silence and spiritual struggle amid the pressures of immigration and financial stress.
He acknowledges the internal voice of fear and doubt that has led to withdrawal, despite being a Christian, husband, and preacher.
The immigration system’s challenges have caused emotional wear, shrinking his ministry confidence and deepening his sense of discouragement.
He reflects on how negative attitudes toward immigrants in society have left emotional scars and challenged his faith.
His wife has been a source of steady encouragement and spiritual strength, embodying the biblical image of a virtuous woman.
He returns to Ephesians 6 as a guide, especially verses 10–23, emphasizing the armor of God as a source of courage in inner battles.
He asks listeners to pray for his courage, faith, and willingness to speak again in ministry.
He urges a break from constant noise, encouraging quiet reflection on Scripture and trust in God’s care.
Summary:
The speaker opens with a vulnerable, honest reflection on a period of silence in his ministry, driven by personal and societal struggles related to immigration. Overwhelmed by financial strain, bureaucratic hurdles, and harmful societal attitudes, he experienced a loss of confidence and spiritual fire. He shares how fear and discouragement led to withdrawal, despite being a Christian and a preacher.
He acknowledges that his silence was not laziness but a season of deep personal and spiritual processing. His wife’s steadfast faith and encouragement have been crucial in supporting him. Drawing on Ephesians 6, he emphasizes the need for inner strength and the armor of God to face both external and internal battles.
He calls for prayer—especially for courage, faith, and a return to meaningful ministry. He encourages listeners to take time to reflect on Scripture, step away from constant noise, and trust in God’s presence. Ultimately, he prays for peace, endurance, and growing love for the gospel in both himself and others, reminding everyone that the journey with Jesus is shared and sustained through prayer, faith, and mutual support.
FAQs
The speaker has been silent due to a personal season of struggle, including fear, discouragement, and the emotional weight of navigating the American immigration system with his wife.
The financial and emotional strain of immigration processes led to a decline in his confidence, ministry fire, and overall sense of purpose, making him question whether he still wanted to preach.
He admitted he wasn't sure, which surprised both him and his friend, reflecting his deep feelings of doubt and fear during that season.
His wife has been a steady source of prayer, encouragement, and emotional strength, consistently showing up with grace and bearing burdens she didn't create.
He recommends reading Ephesians 6:10–23, especially as it relates to the armor of God and enduring inner battles when fear is present.
He asks listeners to pray for his courage, renewed love for the gospel, and the strength to speak up when his voice needs to be heard.
Chat with AI
Loading...
Pro features
Go deeper with this episode
Unlock creator-grade tools that turn any transcript into show notes and subtitle files.
PodcastTranscript AI